University of Idaho

The Challenge:

The Doceo Center for Innovation + Learning lab serves as a hub for connecting innovation, teaching and research with technology for K-12 teachers and university faculty. Its innovative learning space was designed backwards: starting with innovative pedagogical strategies and learning outcomes as the aim and implementing cutting-edge technologies to achieve them.

The Solution:

The solution was to create an innovation lab designed from the ground up around effective pedagogical principles that supported flexibility, student-centered learning, sharing and collaboration. Student seating in the lab consists of five collaboration stations, supporting BYOD (bring your own device) for teamwork. Each station is equipped with a very large interactive display, a tiny form-factor PC, five HDMI/USB embedded combo ports and a dedicated iPad with TP control for an AMXDVX switcher. At these stations, students can switch the source that is displayed on the interactive display through an intuitive iPad app that illustrates the physical dimensions of the table and port/device locations. Such stations allow instructors to guide students as collaborative teams, effectively empowering all students to actively participate in the learning experience. A height adjustable, rollable lectern is located in one corner of the room, and other resources available to the instructor include a high-definition Vaddio camera, Blu-ray player, ceiling speakers, wireless mic system, Apple TV and an additional interactive display for demonstration.

To effectively manage learners in this highly collaborative environment, instructors have a dedicated iPad with TP control, allowing them to effortlessly move about the room with a wireless headset to maintain volume control and route any source device to any output device. This innovation lab gives instructors the flexibility they need to teach and inspire students, and to model effective technology integration for teaching and learning.

The Impact:

As a result, the learning space is collaborative, student-centered and flexible to the needs of teachers and students. Instructors in the space are empowered to use innovative pedagogy to drive their uses of technology rather than the reverse. The lab supports effective face-to-face, online and hybrid techniques, and provides an exciting, intuitive and seamless experience for teachers and students alike. As a learning space, the Doceo Center lab serves as a flagship for technology-enhanced pedagogy and innovation for the university and region.

“Interaction was highly enhanced while keeping personnel costs to a minimum. With two independent touchscreens, the technician has a complete view on all parameters and can react fast and accurate to every situation."— Matt Softly, ICT Manager (Southend Campus)